Washington High cross country coach Everett Whiteside knows quality. And he knows quality is what draws tough competition.

"It's not about size," Whiteside said. "It's about how great your field is."

Whiteside is expecting a highly competitive field Saturday at the Wildcat Invitational, the area's first big cross country meet of the year. The meet will be held at Osceola Golf Course.

The meet will be the Wildcats' first since the death of Tyler "T.C." McCoy, a member of the team, who was killed in an auto accident on Labor Day. Whiteside said his team has tried its best to handle the tragic loss.

"It's been rough for them ... And we're not going to forget T.C., probably for a lifetime because he had that kind of impact on the team,'' Whiteside said.

The Wildcat Invitational will feature about 20 teams, Whiteside said, including some traditionally strong cross country teams from outside this area.

One of those powers will be West Forsyth (Ga.) High School, which is led by former Escambia coach Clayton Tillery. Both Forsyth's boys and girls squads finished in the top 10 at the Georgia state meet last year.

Another tough competitor will be Fort Walton Beach, which is ranked third in the state. Washington is ranked second.

But Whiteside said because of the talented field at the Wildcat, Washington and Fort Walton Beach may not finish in the top three or four.

With 400 to 500 runners and 20 talented teams, nothing is guaranteed for any team. The Wildcat coming at the start of the season also makes the meet's outcome unpredictable.

"The kids now are so used to just running together at school," Pine Forest coach Paul Bryan said. "Now, they actually get a chance to run with a lot of people, and the competition will bring out the best in most of the athletes."

For area cross country programs, the Wildcat is not only an opportunity to go against some of the best, but it's also a an opportunity to measure their progress.